Amazing Breakthroughs in Cocaine, Crack, and Other Stimulant Addiction Treatment

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, there are no prescriptions for stimulant addiction like there are for other addictions. Cocaine and crack cocaine are among the most widely used stimulants in the United States. A large percentage of those addicted to these powerful stimulants are addicted to chasing the first high they ever got off the drug. Unfortunately, this type of addiction often leads to relapse. There are several new treatments in the testing phases and some approved for use for this devastating addiction.

Cocaine Vaccine

Although the concept seems odd, there is now a way to vaccinate against cocaine addiction and relapse. Scientists are currently testing ways to trigger an immune system response to the drug. Like a vaccine against the illness, they are using a deactivated virus to keep the cocaine from reaching the receptors in the brain that trigger the dopamine response that makes cocaine so addictive.

This vaccine is still in its early testing phases but it is showing promise as a complement to more traditional therapies. Currently in animals, the vaccine lasts for around four months so receiving this generation of the vaccine might help prevent relapse in the first few months of treatment.

Gene Transfer Therapy

Motivational therapy provides the client with a reward or positive reinforcement when they abstain from stimulants.

This is still in its earliest phases but it might move to human trials faster than expected. Gene therapy is a new frontier in addiction science. In this type of therapy, a doctor replaces the gene that processes cocaine, which is naturally found in the body with one that has a slight modification.

The modification breaks cocaine down into two non-addictive particles. It does this by changing an enzyme in the body that controls cocaine absorption and neutralizes the drug inside the system.

It is expected that this combined with more traditional therapies will help to prevent relapse in cocaine and crack cocaine addicts. So far, it seems promising as an alternative to some of the more common drug therapies.

Motivational Therapy

Motivational therapy is a controversial therapy. Although it proves to be highly effective in some people, in others it does not work at all. The therapist provides a reward when the person stays away from both cocaine and other stimulants. This is proven through a negative drug test. The motivation is sometimes monetary or some other positive reinforcement that may be exchanged for goods or services.

It is difficult to tell whether the addict stays clean because of the reward or because they are actually recovering from addiction. In addition, it does not provide for the possibility of counter testing procedures.

Finding Cocaine, Crack, and Other Stimulant Addiction Therapy

Although these treatments are in their infancy, they are showing promise in the research phases. If you are addicted now, there are more traditional therapies available, all you have to do is find a treatment center. For more information, call us at 800-605-6597.

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